JK NGOs Got Rs 220 Cr Foreign Funding

6 February 2012Greater KashmirUmer Maqbool

Srinagar: Voluntary organizations in Jammu and Kashmir have, during the past six years, received foreign funding worth Rs 220 crore from various international donors. Details of the foreign funding received by NGOs in Jammu and Kashmir, between 2004-05 and 2009-10, have been made available by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in its annual reports. As per the details available on MHA website, financial aid worth Rs 14 crore was granted to 57 voluntary organizations in the state during 2004-05. While in 2005-06, 55 NGOs received Rs 30.4 crore and next year (2006-07) the foreign funding of Rs 102. 13 crore was pumped into the state for 67 organizations. In the next three fiscal years, financial assistance of Rs 22.82 crore, Rs 24.22 crore and Rs 26. 2 crore was received by 55, 69 and 79 NGOs respectively. Pertinently, the receipt and utilization of foreign funding by individuals and associations is regulated under the provisions of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 1976. The nodal agency- FCRA wing of Foreigners’ Division of the MHA brings out an annual report regarding the receipt of foreign contribution by voluntary associations based on the Annul FC-3 returns (duly certified by the Chartered Accountants) furnished by the organizations u-s 6(1) of FC(R) Act, 1976 read with Rule 4 (1)(a) of FC(R) Rules, 1976, for carrying out different activities and programs as per their respective charters. The information reveals that 13 associations in J&K have received heavy one-time installment of Rs 1 crore or more, since 2004-05. These organizations include, Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre Leh, Lamdon Model Senior Secondary School Leh, Kashmir Evangelical Fellowship Udhampur, Diocese of Jammu-Srinagar St Mary’s Church Jammu, Iqbal Memorial Trust Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir Yateem Trust Srinagar, Rizong Cultural and Welfare Society Leh, Ladakh Ecological Developmental Group, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Centre for Sustainable Development and Food Security in Ladakh , The New Kashmir Women and Child Welfare Society Srinagar, Leh Nutrition Project and Chumur Cultural and Welfare Society Leh. In 2006-07, when these organizations received highest foreign contribution of more than Rs 100 crore, Kashmir Evangelical Fellowship Udhampur got Rs 11810288.00, Lamdon Model Senior Secondary School Leh Rs 11991284.00, Kargil Educational Society Rs 12054767.00, Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre Leh Rs 24826202.00, Iqbal Memorial Trust Srinagar Rs 25767988.00, Catholic Social Services Society Jammu Rs 31241228.00, Save the Children Fund North West India Leh Rs 39700000, Diocese of Jammu-Srinagar St Mary’s Church Jammu Rs 47641667.00 and Jammu and Kashmir Yateem Trust Srinagar got assistance of Rs 740731651.00. Comparing with other states, the share of foreign funding to the voluntary organizations in the state is minimal. In states like Tamil Nadu and Delhi, organizations get final assistance of more than Rs 1500 crore annually from across the world.